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“I usually spend Christmas with my parents. We eat an obscene amount of food. But we can spend it alone if you prefer that.” The words kept tumbling out of my mouth, and I couldn’t stop them. “They’re super nice, though, and I bet they would love to meet you. I told them so much about you.”

Stop rambling, Arne!

“You told your parents about me?”

Is that all you heard?

“Uh, yes, of course I did. They’ll tell no one about us. I promise, it’s—”

Max tackled me, which was weird because I sat on his lap one moment and the next my back was on the bed, and he was kissing me.

“I want to celebrate with you. I’ll tell my family we’re going to Denmark,” he said against my lips when at long last he backed away, grinning widely. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever.”

Twenty-two

Max

“You’ll spend Christmas with whom?” Marie’s shrill voice made me almost drop my phone. I’d called her as soon as I knew for sure our Christmas in Denmark would work out.

“Shit, keep it down a bit, will you? Ouch, that hurt my ear.”

“Sorry, Max, but you are doingwhatfor Christmas this year?” she asked again.

“I’m going to a friend’s place in Denmark.” The lie stung, but she’d never been great at keeping secrets from our parents. “His family owns a beach house there.”

“Ugh, I’m jealous. I bet he’s hot. Is he single?” My sister giggled.

“Nah, he’s seeing someone,” I said evasively.

“Mum and Dad will hate that you won’t be home for the holidays. And your birthday!”

“I know, but this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’ve heard Jul in Denmark is pretty fantastic.”

And it’s our first Christmas as a couple. Okay, secret couple, but who cares?

“You’ve got to send me pictures! Also of the hunk.”

“Not going to happen.” I snorted. “Go on the website and look at his official pictures. I’m not taking photos of him on holiday.”

Well, I might… but those are only for me.

“Okay, okay.” She laughed. “I’ll check him out. Oh hang on, is this your hot captain we’re talking about? The Viking? He’s Danish, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, that’s him. How are things at home?” I asked to steer the conversation away from Arne. I had no problem bending the truth a bit. Flat out lying to Marie wasn’t something I wanted to do.

“Oh, same old. Our parents are working. I’m spending all my time in the lab. I met Tobias the other day. He said he tried calling you, but you didn’t pick up the phone. He was pretty upset.”

I rolled my eyes, anger rising in my chest.

“For the last time, I broke up with him because he fucked some other guy and then lied to me about it for weeks!” I was beyond sugar coating anything. “I found out through ArgoS, if you want to know. Why the fuck would I pick up? So he can cry and when that doesn’t soften me up, insult me? I want nothing to do with that asshole.”

“Holy shit. That’s what he did?” Marie whispered.

“Yeah.” I sniffed. I wasn’t upset about it anymore, just so freaking angry. I wanted to be with Arne in peace, without worrying if Tobias might call me again while we had dinner or were in bed together.

“Shit, Max. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“I bet he didn’t tell you that, did he?”